Pension

[NameChangerAmI]

Just thinking about pensions (as a result of another current pension thread).

I know someone on here will be able to tell me...if you've not worked at all for your entire adult life, apart from say, 12 months, PT, but have claimed CB for 32 or so years; will you be entitled to the same state pension as someone who, on retirement, will have clocked up 49 years worth of full contributions?

I know I should know this, but I am one of those really ignorant women you hear about in the press (and on here,) who is completely clueless about pensions, and is starting to panic and also feel slightly pissed off about the inequalities of the system.
TIA

The U.K. state pension is actually very equal.
If you are a SAHP with child under 12, you don’t lose out on years towards the pension. This is recognising that unpaid parental childcare is as much a contribution to society as being a paid childminder.
In the US, their social security system only counts actual earnings. And your SS pension is based on your average earnings over 35 yrs. For every year you did not work a zero is averaged in...so lots of SAHMs end up with no or very low SS old age pension because they took time off to care for children. It is also unequal because high earners get a higher pension. Disabled people don’t get zeros but get a “freeze” so that no zeros are added for years they are not working BUT their pension is still based on the years in which they did earn money and since disabled person is likely to be PT and low wage, they end up with no or very low pension as well.
The U.K. state pension is far more equal than the US system.
I can’t think how the U.K. system could be more equal. If you are just unemployed or a student you get no credits towards state pension either.

AngelasAshes that's shocking - I had no idea that the pension situation in the US is so grim.

@NameChangerAmI
It is terrible isn’t it? My sister emigrated there and she’s been a SAHM the last ten years and is furious about it. She thought it would have been similar to U.K.

AngelasAshes I really feel for your sister.

I believe you do receive credits towards state pension if you are unemployed in UK